There is a basic problem with the New York Times'concept of a "public editor": He has to live around all of those incredibly nasty, intellectually dishonest, determined, remorseless and ultimately ruthless and irresponsible people who staff the Times. As with a baby sitter of incredibly nasty, intellectually dishonest, determined, remorseless and ultimately ruthless and irresponsible children, the inevitable consequence to the public editor is being worn down.